Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Conversation Group Treatment for Aphasia: Does it Work?

United States162 participantsStarted 2022-04-15

Plain-language summary

The proposed research will test the efficacy of group conversation treatment for people with aphasia and explore whether the effects of treatment differ as a result of the following factors: 1. Group size: Do large groups of 6-8 people with aphasia or dyads of 2 people with aphasia demonstrate different levels of improvement with this treatment? 2. Group composition: Do effects of conversation group treatment differ if the groups include members with similar or different types of aphasia? 3. Aphasia severity: Do effects of conversation group treatment differ if the individuals within the group have mild-moderate or moderate-severe profiles of aphasia? Treatment sessions will occur in groups of 6-8 people with aphasia or with 2 people with aphasia. During treatment sessions, discourse will be facilitated on a focused set of every day topics, such as current events or travel. Linguistic and multi modal cueing hierarchies will be tailored to individual client goals and used to maximize communication success. The prediction is that conversation treatment is an effective method for improving communication in people with aphasia, but that specific benefits may differ based on variables such as group size, group composition, and aphasia severity. The results will help inform best practices for aphasia treatment and refine a hypothesized model about the mechanisms underlying conversation treatment.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 85 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Criteria for All Treatment Cycles: Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical diagnosis of aphasia * At least 6 months post-onset of stroke in the language-dominant hemisphere. * Native English speakers * Demonstrate sufficient auditory comprehension skills to participate in a supported conversation, based on results of standardized aphasia tests Exclusion * No history of neurological disease (other than stroke) * No history of developmental speech, language, or learning disabilities * No current serious medical illness (e.g., cancer) * Participants will be asked to abstain from concurrent speech language treatment. Separate criteria for Treatment Cycles 1, 2, and 3 based on aphasia severity: Cycle 1 Severity-based Inclusion Criteria (Completed 2022): \-- All aphasia profiles and severity levels. Cycle 2 Severity-based Inclusion Criteria (Completed 2023): \-- Participants with severe aphasia Cycle 3 Severity-based Inclusion Criteria (Completed 2024): \-- Participants with mild-moderate aphasia.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in Scores on Aphasia Communication Outcome Measure from Pre- to Post- Treatment

Timeframe: Baseline and up to 12 weeks after baseline

Change in Scores on Aphasia Communication Outcome Measure from Pre-Treatment to One month Post-Treatment

Timeframe: Baseline and up to 16 weeks after baseline

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05113160

SponsorBoston University Charles River Campus

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-12-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Aphasia, Acquired trials